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AUTHOR: 


FRIENDS,  SOCIETY 


TITLE: 


AN  ADDRESS  ON 
SOME  GROWING 


PLACE: 


PHILADELPHIA 


DA  TE : 


1882 


Restrictions  on  Use: 


COLUMBIA  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARIES 
PRESERVATION  DEPARTMENT 


Master  Negative  # 


BIBLIOGRAPHIC  MICROFORM  TARGET 


Original  Material  as  Filmed  -  Existing  Bibliographic  Record 


'■: 


Friends,  .Society 'of. 

An  address  on  some  growing  ^vils  of  the-'^ 
peoially  demoi^all^ing  literature^'and^-art,  frcp^tt^ 
represontativ^s  of  the  religious  Society  of  f riexid 
for  Pennsylvania,  Hew  Jersey  and  Delaware,  Second 
month,  10,  1882*  Philadelphia  ^ISegT^ 

16  p.  17  cm  in  24  cm. 

Volume  of  panqphlets 


29754 


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V'i 


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TECHNICAL  MICROFORM  DATA 


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DATE     FILMED:__ SL-Ji^i^ ,.   ___     INITIALS _f^lr^^_ 

HLMEDBY:    RESEARCH  PUBLICATIONS.  INC  WOODBRIDGE.  CT 


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AN   ADDRESS 


ON 


Some  Growing  Evils  of  the  Day. 


KSPECIALLY 


DEMORALIZING  LITERATURE  AND  ART, 


FROM 


THE  KEPRESENTATIVES 


OF 


The  Religious  Society  of  Friends, 


FOtt 


PENNSYLVANIA,  NEW  JERSEY,  AND  DELAWARE. 


iSEVOND  MONTH,  JO,  isat. 


PHILADELPHIA: 
TO  BE  HAD  AT  FJlIENDy'  BOOK  STORE; 
304  Arch  Strjeet. 


Ki     -A.* 


AN  AT); 


1 


ON 


Some  Growing  Evils  of  the  Day. 


K8PF.CIAM.Y 


DEMORALIZING  LITERATURE  AND  ART, 


FROM 


THE  REPRESENTATIVES 


or 


The  Religious  Society  of  Friends, 


FOK 


PENNSYLVANIA,  NEW  JERSEY,  AND  DELAWARE. 


SECOND  MONTH.   10,  1888. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

TO  BE  HAD  AT  FRIENDS'  BOOK  STORE» 

304  Arch  Street* 


^ 


r^ 


AN   ADDRESS. 


v>  I 


H"^ 


P;  '-    '' 


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I^IIE  advance  of  modern  s<x'iety  in  j>:eneral  intelligent* 
-  as  well  as  in  the  arts  and  eoniforts  <►(*  civilized  life 
has  l)een  steady  and  nipid.  The  progmss  of  the  United 
States  in  these  directions  lias  lx»en  largely  owing  to  the 
liberal  spirit  which  pervades  its  institntions,  and  their 
wholesome  influence,  and  the  j)ossession  of  almost  un- 
limited natural  resources,  have  combined,  under  the 
blessing  of  the  Most  High,  to  give  to  our  beloved  countiy 
a  rapidity  of  growth  in  material  wt^alth  an<l  general 
pn)sperity  unexampled  in  the  world's  histor}'. 

It  is,  however,  always  to  lx»  Iwrne  in  mind  that  those 
broad  views  of  the  foundei-s  of  our  government  resjxx^t- 
ing  the  equal  rights  of  man,  civil  and  religious  lilwrty, 
and  the  just  claims  of  the  governed  to  })articipate  in 
and  control  the  government  under  which  they  live,  find 
their  highest  sanction  in  the  pix'cepts  of  the  New  Testa- 
ment ;  and  if  the  prosperity  of  this  gi'eat  country'  is  to 
be  lasting,  we  believe  there  nmst  ever  be  a  direct  mf- 
erence,  not  only  to  the  development  of  its  resources  and 
the  progress  of  its  people  in  useful  arts  and  knowledge, 
but  to  its  advancement  in  Truth  and  Righteousness. 
Yet  it  must  be  admitted  by  everj^  ctireful  observer  of 

what  is  transpiring  around  us,  that  notwithstanding  the 

3 


.■> 


rapid  aclviuuvs  in  wealth,  ^rciuTil  iiitcllijr^'iui',  and  rt^ 
fincinoiit  apparent  on  evcrv  side,  tliei-e  an*  eertain  .-ouret^ 
of  weakness  and  downward  tendeneie?*,  which  are  anionjr 
the  <lireet  results  of  financial  pros|KTity  and  incidental 
to  a  hi^h  degree  of  civiliztition  and  <'nltnix*. 

With  the  general  incn-ase  in  wealth  there  has  been 
broutrht  within  reach  of  the  great  bulk  of  our  ]KM)i)le, 
not  onlv  the  comforts,  but  many  of  the  hixuri(s  of  life ; 
f(»llowing  these  there  has  Uvn  an  indulgence  ni  tastes 
often  of  a  character  more  or  less  injurious,  and  a  love 
of  display  has  Imvu  <levelope<l  which  leads  to  extrava- 
giuuv  in  ukkIcs  of  living.  In  order  to  suj)port  a  style 
Avhich  is  Ix'vond  their  circumstances,  men  are  thus  often 
driven  to  an  unwarrantable  extension  of  their  business 
M-hich  nsidts  in  ixfuniaiy  embarrassment,  distnss  to 
their  families,  and  a  loss  of  moral  rtn-titude. 

We  c-annot  but  notice  a  lowering  of  the  stanclanl  of 
business  integrity  and  of  moral  i-esi)onsibility  for  the 
piynient  of  debts  ;  the  increase  of  unscTupulous  s|Hrula- 
tion  and  ofcorrupt  combinations  to  control  j>rices  and  give 
fictitious  values  i-eganlless  of  the  injury  done  to  othei-s ; 
Avhicli  all  grtnitly  oppnss  the  man  of  tender  eonseienee  in 
his  endt-avors  to  make  a  living.     Tliere  is  a  growing  dis-  |j 
|>osition  to  consider  all  means  of  accunudating  wealth   TJj 
justifiable  which  the  law  does  not  forbid,  in  forgetful- 
iiess  of  the  equitable  claim  of  ever}'  one  to  a  fair  op- 
portunity of  using  his  talents  and  industry  in  ac<|uir- 
ing  pro})erty.     Aeeompanying  this   and   pi-omoteil  by 
it,  unsound   views  of  the  rights  t»f  proi)erty  which  are 


subversive  of  scM'ial  oixler  and  security  are  industrious: v 
taught,  spreading  abroad  envy  or  jealousy  of  those  who 
have  tlie  advantage  of  wealth ;  and  nn'strust  exists 
lK»tween  clas^i's  of  stM'iety  whosi'  common  interests,  if 
n'gulated  by  Christian  consideration,  would  keep  them 
in  contented  co-(»peration.  Unfaithfulness  in  the  ad- 
ministration of  trusts,  which  was  once  comparatively 
nu*e,  is  not  unfre(|U('nt,  an<l  |)ositions  of  public  trust  are 
sought  for  the  oj)|K>rtunity  of  private  gain  by  means 
which  threaten  the  stability  of  the  government. 

These  evils,  though  the  result  of  cond)ined  cjuiscs,  are 
in  large  ])art  tniceable  to  the  enuilation  for  the  reputa- 
tion of  wealth,  and  love  of  the  power  which  wealth 
gives,  which  is  apt  to  follow  rapid  increase  of  material 
pros|K*rity  where  its  influences  are  not  moderatcHl  by  the 
warning  that  "a  man's  life  consisteth  not  in  the  abun- 
daiK*e  of  tlie  things  which  he  iXKs^'sseth." 

Hut  In'sides  these  ciuisesand  conseipiences  of  demoral- 
izjition,  which  all  thoughtful  men  observe  and  deplore, 
there  are  some  othei*s  which,  though  hidden  in  their 
nature,  mav  well  awaken  in  the  true  lover  of  his  country 
<leep  anxiety  lest,  if  they  go  unchecked,  the  result  will 
in  the  end  prove  disjistrous  tt)  its  true  interests  and 
highest  haj)piness. 

With  the  cultivation  of  what  are  known  as  the  "  Fine 

Arts,"   and    through    the    op|K)rtunities   which   wealth 

affbnls,  there  have  Ix'en   intnxluced  on  this  side  of  the 

Atlantic  many  works  of  the  acknowledged  masters  in 

painting  and  sculpture,  which  an*  commended  as  ukkIcIs 
1* 


I 


6 

of  art,  and  havQ  thus  Iki'Ii  accvptwl  a«i  a  standard  to  be 
followcil.  Some  of*  thost',  which  arv  in  ktvpin^  with 
nioiks  of  life  and  a  c^hIc  of  morals  utterly  at  variantv 
with  tJK'  pure  t<'achiii<rs  of  the  ^osjK'l,  are  tolerated  and 
admireil  in  cultivated  society,  forjrettinjr  that  no  cover 
of  artistic  excellence  or  stamp  of  classicid  reputation 
counts  for  anvthinjr  in  the  Divine  sijrht  as  an  excits<' 
lor  tlftit  which  prompts  unholy  thoujjhts;  and  that, 
though  "  to  the  pniv  all  thinjrs  aiv  pure,"  no  one  will 
Ih'  justifiiHl  in  *'  puttintr  an  <KH-asion  to  fall  in  his 
brother's  wav." 

The  tendency  of  the  i)re.si'nt  day  in  this  direction  is 
to  1h«  s<Tn  in  the  chanicter  of  many  of  the  paintintjs  and 
en<n-avinirs  exhihittnl  in  art  iralleries  or  the  windows  of 
print  stons;  in  the  pi ih-cs  of  statuary  intnKluced  into 
public  jrrnunds,  or  in  the  ornamentation  of  public  build- 
ings, wheivin  nndra|xxl  tiornres  (Kx-upy  conspicuous 
places.  Has  their  not  also  Iki'u  a  growinj?  relaxation 
of  those  ruh's  of  propriety  which  were  once  sufficient  to 
<'xclude  such  i-epresentations  from  private  houses;  and 
<lo  we  not  now  find  in  the  honu^  of  the  wealthy,  and 
oven  th<Kse  of  pn)fessin*r  C'hristians,  sixvimens  both  of 
painting  and  sculptuir  whose  tendency  c-annot  he  in  the 
<lir(H'tion  of  a  high  oitler  of  purity  or  virtue? 

EndM)ldenwl  bv  this  laxitv  of  public  sentiment,  the 
theativ,  the  o|H'ra,  aiul  the  cimis,  too  ready  to  pander 
to  the  lower  apjK'tites  of  the  eomnmnity,  have  of  late 
thrown  oW  nuicli  of  the  restraint  which  at  one  time  they 
assumed,  and  we  now  not  unfrequently  see  displayed 


on  their  j)lacai-ds  large  pi<'tnrcs  of  their  pcrionnances 
that  may  well  sh«K«k  the  finer  fci'lings  of  those  wh<»  pass 
them.  It  is  therefore  to  Im*  greatly  fcarcnl  that  fre<|uent 
familiarity  with  pnMlnctions  such  as  these  is  uncon- 
sc-iouslv  lowering  that  high  standard  of  moral  purity 
which  it  is  of  the  fii-st  im|M)rtance  slundd  be  maintainiHl 
in  a  Christian  connnunity. 

More   hurtful    still  in  its  efi'eets  than  these   injurious 
influenct»s  is  that  of  much  of  the  literature  which  is  n«»w 
Iwing  circulatiHl   broadcast   through  the  land.      Highly 
WHMight  tales  of  adventuiv,  romance,  or  crime,  profusely 
illustratiHl,  which  arc  demoralizing  in  their  general  tcme, 
or  ciiter  to  the  sensual    pro|M'nsities  of  our  nature,  are, 
through   the   wonderful    iM»wei-s  of  the   printing-press, 
furnished  at  pritres  so  low  as  to  bring  them  within  easy 
reach  of  young  minds.      Many  of  the  novels  of  this  day 
are  histories  of  the  indulgence  of  unholy  passions  and 
disregard   of  the  sjinctity   of  marriage,   so   stHluctively 
presented   as   to   make  a   |>ure    life,  crowned   with   the 
blessings  of  the  family  relation,  ap|H'ar  tame  and  unin- 
teresting.    To  a  population  in  which  few  are  unable  to 
read,  the  injurious  e( nisei juences  resulting  from  impns- 
sions  thus  reeeiveil  can  srarcely  l>e  estimate<l.      It  is  not 
too  much  to  assume  that  to  this  source  may  1k'  largely 
attributed  the  rapid  spreading  of  sentiments  snbveisive 
of  gospel  truth,  sound  morals,  and  right  views  of  eivil 
government,  as  well  as  the  fearful  increase  of  crime   in 
its  varied  phases. 

At  the  news-stands,  where  are  displayed  this  worse 


>    I  1 


8 

than  tnishv  HtoRiturc,  we  may  sti'  «rroni>s  of  boys  am! 
jrirls  ^rjithcrcHl  to  feast  their  eyt»s  u|M>n  the  jrraphic  illas- 
trations  of  the  thrilling  story,  which  a  few  (vnts  will  en- 
able them  to  buy.  U|K)n  the  niilroa<l-tniin  how  frequent 
an*  the  calls  of  tiie  iMMjk-vendor  in  efforts  to  (lisj)ose  of 
his  armful  of  mon*  or  less  ex|H*nsive  works,  while  in 
manv  cases  it  net'ils  but  a  glance  to  satisfy  the  traveller 
that  the  contents  of  many  of  the:n  are  such  its  etui  only 
<'orru}>t  the  heart  and  fill  the  mind  witii  j)ictures  which 
mav  leave  lasting  impressions  for  evil.  Where  a  ta^te 
for  such  reading  hiui  l)ecn  indulgcHl,  can  we  lie  surprised 
to  learn  that  the  downward  progress  of  very  many  of 
the  inmates  of  our  jails  and  reformatories  is  traced  by 
themselves  to  the  sitnls  <4'  vice  thus  early  sown? 

Ilisinsr  iu  the  scnial  scale,  we  find  on  the  counters  of 
most  iMiok-stores,  and  in  the  lKH)k-c*ases  of  many  professors 
of  religion,  the  complete  works  of  i)oets  who  have,  in 
sonic  of  their  writings,  abandone<l  their  exalted  gifts  to 
ministering  to  the  lowest  and  most  excitable  passions  of 
our  weak  human  natun,  in  the  most  seductive  language. 
The  im}>ure  thoughts  and  images  infiLsed  irito  the  moral 
being  by  this  unhallowed  |K)etiy,  like  certain  jK)isons 
taken  into  the  bl(M)d,  may  remain  there  for  life,  to  be 
only  rendertnl  inert  by  continual  resort  to  Divine  graw. 
How  can  any  doubt  that  He  wh<»  "  is  of  purer  eyes  than 
to  l)ehold  iniquity,"  will  "  sweep  away  as  the  refuge  of 
lies  "  the  plea  of  an  aocepteil  classical  standing  as  a  sanc- 
tion for  immorality  ;  and  that  He  will  hold  to  an  awful 
accountability  the  jiossession  t»f  exalted  powers  of  mind 


9 

and  fwling,  deliberately  en^.ployed  in  estranging  fronr 
Him  those  for  whom  Christ  ditnl ;  and  that  He  will  not 
hold  them  clear  who  further  their  work  by  tolerating- 
and  excasing  it. 

A  large  proportion  of  the  publishing  arrangements 
of  this  country  is  employed  upon  novels,  either  in  l)<K)kSy 
magazines,  or  family  newspaiKM-s ;  and  there  are  public 
libraries,  designtnl  for  the  imj)rovement  of  the  j)eople, 
wliose  volumes  count  bv  tens  of  thous-mds,  devoted  in 
large  measure  to  works  of  fiction,  InH-ause  there  is  so. 
much  more  demand  for  them  than  for  anv  other  kind 
of  readinor.  Such  works,  whatever  mav  be  their  claims 
to  literary'  merit,  often  present  false  views  of  life,  or 
aims  that  are  far  from  elevating ;  and  by  stimulating 
the  fancy  with  dreams  which  they  c^annot  realize,  the 
young  of  either  sex  are  frequently  led  into  most  unwise 
courses  or  improper  eonne(*tions. 

Even  where  the  aim  of  the  author  is  to  u[)hold  right 
views  of  life  and  to  serve  the  cause  of  religion,  where 
the  lesson  intended  to  l>e  taught  is  good  and  the  char- 
acteiN  worthy  of  imitation,  human  nature  puts  the  teac^h- 
ing  aside  as  imposition  when  it  crosses  its  own  inclina- 
tions ;  and  only  gives  to  the  characters  deserilKKl  that 
kind  of  sentimental  admiration  which  is  due  to  ideals 
which  mav  be  or  mav  not  bo  true.  This  is  far  different 
in  its  effects  upon  character  from  the  sincere  desire  ta 
follow  the  example  of  excellence  as  exhibited  in  the 
records  of  real  life,  which  is  strengthened  by  the  as- 
surance of  possible  attainment. 


10 


11 


'riicrc  is  reason  to  U'licve  that  in  icadinir  tliccla.ssof 
novels  w  iiicli  most  attract  cnltivatcd  and  refined  natnres, 
wlien'  the  fas<ination  <-onsists  in  the  jjraphie  representa- 
tion of  hnnian  nature  in  its  dealing  witli  not  unnatural, 
hut  unreal  <'ireu instances  and  eharaetei-s,  the  finer  emo- 
tions of  our  heinjr  are  often  arouse<l  and  wiU'thy  interests 
stimulatiHl.      Hut  thes4'  havin^:  no  real  ol)ie<'t  to  act  uiM>n 
mv  l)JU'ren  of  dii*eet  ir<MKl  to  othei-s,  and  in  the  end  often 
pHnluce  sentinientalisin   or  ohtuseness  of  f(H'lin*r  in  th<' 
i-ejKler.     The  svnipathv  whieh  <-an  have  no  outh't  either 
in  effort  or  pniyer  for  the  relief  of  a<tual   suflerinjr  or 
thankfulness  for  actual    happiness,  tends  t(»   n'act   and 
become  morbid,  or  may  ^row  to  1k'  as  fictitious  as  the 
inuunncil   «K-cj»sions   which    have   cjdle<i    it    forth.      The 
pleasurabh'  excitement   of   tluse  emotions  satisfies  the 
benevolent  impulses  for  the  time,  while  it  indisj>oses  for 
the  exercis<'  of  that  healthy  sym|>Jithy  with  the  rejd  life 
around    us,  an<l    active    participation    in    its  joys  and 
sorrows,  which   brinjrs  its  own   rewanl  of  hap]>iness  on 
^rth  and   the  approval  of  Him  who  will  siiy, '*  Inso- 
nuich  as  ve  have  done  it  unto  the   least  of  these  my 
brethivn,  ye  have  <lone  it  unto  me." 

By  the  indul«rence  of  a  piis^ive  and  unregulated 
iniajjination  nniuirinjr  no  mental  effort,  the  taste  for 
tndy  profitable  Ixjoks  is  destroytnl,  while  a  tlreiuny  habit 
of  thought  is  l)egotten  which  unfits  for  grappling 
bravely  with  the  duties  and  practi(-al  business  of  life. 
Those  who  give  themselves  up  to  this  desultory  (x-cupa- 
tion  of  their  thoughts  are  the  more  ready  to  satisfy  their 


desires  for  mental  entertainment  with  theatrical  ixirform- 
anees,  and  thus  subjtrt  themselvt^  to  their  corrupting 
asso<-iatious.  Upon  the  female  mind  esjK'cially  dm's 
the  habit  of  novel  i-eading  k^d  to  mast  injurious  results, 
and  to  this  source  may  Ik»  fairly  traced  a  large  proi)ortion 
of  the  domestic  wretchwlness  which  now  abounds.  It 
is  to  the  evils  growing  out  of  these  and  kindred  abuses 
of  the  printing-press  that  we  fwl  the  conuuunity  needs 
to  \ye  thoroughly  aroused,  lest  the  l)est  life  and  energies 
of  the  nation  become  poisontnl  at  their  very  source. 

We  firmlv  believe  that  the  corrective  for  this  and 
every  other  injurious  tendency  which  threatens  the 
highest  interests  of  our  l)elovwl  countiy,  is  to  be  found 
in  a  fuller  and  more  practical  ac(vptance  of  the  teach- 
ings of  our  Ix>rd  Jesus  Christ.  While  the  Scriptures 
of  the  New  Testament  deal  with  human  nature  in  all 
its  weakness  and  deformity,  they  also  set  forth  the  cajKi- 
cities  of  man  for  bringing  glory  to  his  Maker,  l)oth 
here  and  hereafter.  As  his  heart  is  brought  into  har- 
mony with  the  Divine  will,  a  large  measure  of  pure 
and  substantial  happiness  is  promised  him  on  this  side 
the  grave.  They  treat  of  life,  however,  as  it  i-eally  is, 
short  at  best,  and  most  um^rtain  as  to  its  ending;  the 
inestimable  value  of  time,  therefoix?,  and  its  right  em- 
ployment, are  frequent  themes  of  the  Saviour  and  his 
apostles.  By  them,  also,  the  realities  of  death,  eternity, 
and  the  judgment  to  come  ai*e  pressed  with  the  deejK'st 
earnestness. 

Thev  teaeh  that  as  men  m-eive  Christ  and  his  pre- 


,r 


12 

cepts  into  tlu'ir  liwirts,  thoir  (Icsirt's,  their  wills,  and  the 
wlu.le  U'ut  of  their  lives  will  Ik-  ehantrwl,  and  throujrh 
the  sjinetifyin>r  influene*'  of*  his  own  Holy  Spirit,  they 
d<»  indcxnl  iVn-onie  "  new  ereaturts  in  C'hrist  Jesus."     All 
Wuvr  thus  sulMirdinated  to  the  will  of  GikI,  they  aiv 
assunnl  that  power  from  on  high  will  l)e  given  over 
everv  sinful  projx'usity  ;  and  all  that  is  out  oi'  harmony 
with  their  highest  hapi)iness  will  Ix'  made  manifi'st  by 
the  liglit  of   Christ  "which    lighteth   ever>'   man   that 
eometh  into  the  worhl."    The  life  into  whieh  our  blessed 
Keileemer  eidls  his  followers  is  marktHl  by  a  degriHi  of 
watchfulness  and  self-(h'nial,  a  singleness  of  j)urpose,  a 
puritv  of  conduct  an<l  even  thought,  which  bespeak  the 
Divine  authoritv  of  Him  who  still  '*  teacheth  as  never 
man  taught."    This  is  the  ivligion  which  is  meant  to 
restore,  lift  up,  and  bless  our  falleu  race. 

As  we  seek  for  the  **  wisdom  which  cometh  only 
fnMU  above,"  it  will  Ix^  given  its  more  and  moiv  clearly 
to  sei'  what  it  is  that  promot^^s  the  establishment  of 
Christ's  kingdom  uiM)n  the  earth,  and  what  is  hindering 

it what  sa vol's  of  his  own  pure  spirit  and  what  is  not 

in  unison  with  it ;  while  we  shall  come  to  undei-stand 
the  full  foi-ce  of  the  ajxjstle's  declaration  that  **  the  lust 
of  th(^  flesh,  the  lust  of  the  eye,  and  the  pride  of  life, 
is  not  of  the  Father,  but  is  of  the  world."  There  has 
ever  Ixvu  an  incompatibility  l)etween  the  service  of  the 
"  two  masters,"  and  no  man  ran  starve  them  Imth.  Hence 
the  warnings  and  exhortations  that  abound  in  the 
writings  of  the  ap<istles  to  their  fellow-bt^lievers  to  be 


18 


"not  conformed  to  this  world,"  to  "keep  themselves 
uns|K)tted  from  it,"  to  "  love  not  the  world,  for  if  any 
man  love  the  world,  the  love  of  the  Father  is  not  in  him." 

We  have  netxl  of  the  continual  help  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
to  see  through  and  over  the  spirit  of  the  world  in  its 
secret  workings  in  oui*selves  and  others — to  enable  us  to 
rise  al)ove  the  authoritv  of  the  standards  of  extvllence 
and  refinement  which  stxMcty  adopts  and  changes  at  will 
indejK'udently  of  Divine  siuiction — to  discern  the  teu- 
<lencies  of  hurtful  customs  which  are  genendly  ap- 
prov(Hl,  and  es[KH*ially,  to  det(H*t  and  turn  from  the  in- 
sidious influenci*  of  things,  impure  or  enervating  in 
their  own  nature,  which  gain  entrance  into  the  un- 
guanled  heart  under  cover  of  their  association  with 
intellectual  enjoyment  or  the  attracticuis  of  refined  taste. 
\V  hile  we  feel  that  the  doctrines  of  our  Saviour  lav  the 
axe  at  the  r(X)t  of  everv  evil,  v(»t  in  our  human  weak- 
ness  we  an'  confused  by  the  mingling  of  go(Kl  and  evil 
in  life,  and  are  unable  of  ourselves  to  apply  them  with 
assurance  to  our  own  condition  or  that  of  societv. 

But  our  Holv  R^nleemer,  when  He  returned  to  the 
glor\'  which  He  had  with  the  Father  Ix'fore  the  world 
was,  having  left  his  followers  a  j)erfect  example  of  holi- 
ness, and  prtHt^pts  to  show  them  how  "  to  walk  even  as 
He  walkeil "  while  with  them  on  earth,  did  not  leave 
them  comfortless,  discouraged  at  their  high  calling,  in 
doubt  how  to  carry  out  his  puix»  teachings  in  their  pracv 
tical  application  to  the  circumstances  of  their  daily  lives, 
and  in  perplexity  how  to  keep  thems(»lves  pure  while 


f 


14 

fultillinir  tlu'ir  wIhHo  tliitv  to  tlu'ir  fellow-men.  "The 
Ounfuiler  which  is  the  Holy  (Jhof^t/'  the  Sent  of  the 
Father  in  the  name  of  the  S)n,  who  is  given  to  us,  ac- 
eonlinj;  to  the  promisi*  of  our  Saviour,  to  "teach  us  all 
tlnnjrs,  and  to  bring  all  things  to  our  riMnemhram* 
whats<H  ver  He  has  said  unto  us,"  will  make  the  humble 
and  watchful  spirit  quick  of  undei-standing  to  receive 
and  a}>|)lv  his  recoixle<l  teachings,  to  know  his  will  when 
directlv  revealed,  and  i'ulfil  his  purixjses,  where  our 
luMuan  reast)n  would  fail  us  or  lead  astray. 

They  who  desire  to  sit  at  the  Master's  i'vi^i  to  listen  to 
tiic  gnicious  words  which  still  proc-eecl  out  of  his  mouth, 
and    to  "follow  the  Lamb  whithersoever  He  goeth," 
while  they  look  to  Him  contimially  for  guidance  in  all 
the  aifairs  of   life,  seek   frefjuent  retirement  fn)m  the 
world  and  its  confusing  voices,  to  wait  in  reverent  silence 
uiH»n  Him,  in  subinissicm  of  their  wills,  prejxissessions, 
and  reasonings.    These  an*  brought  so  near  to  Him  that 
thev  come  to  know  of  his  d<H*trine,  to  see  his  gracious 
designs  for  the  well-being  of  society,  and  conform  their 
own  conduct  and  influence  thereto.      In  humility  and 
faith  thev  allow  the  cimvictions  sejded  ui)on  their  spir- 
itual   understandings  to  have  precedence  of  their  own 
nu<on  or  the  example  of  other  men.     They  are  taught 
to  distrust  many  of  the  ac<'ept<Hl  views  of  society^  and 
stand  as  its  faithful  guanlians,  as  well  against  the  small 
l)eginnings  of  harmful  influences  as  against  gross  and 

apparent  evil. 

Thes€%  however  diifering  in  gifts  and  the  influence  of 


15 

H-riu-ious  a.ss(HMatioii  and  education,  however  gjithered  or 
wlieivver  st-attcnnl  over  the  earth,  though  mostly  un- 
known to  one  another,  yet  having  daily  comnumion 
with  and  following  one  Loixl  and  Master,  are  uniteil  in 
the  fellowship  of  those  who  "  walk  in  the  light  as  (i(k1 
is  in  the  light,  and  know  the  bl(MKl  of  Jesus  Christ,  his 
S»n,  to  cleanse  them  from  all  sin."  Thus  they  are  made 
c<»-workei-s  with  Him  in  harmoni<ms  laUn*  for  the  pro- 
motion t»f  the  happiness  of  mankind  by  those  Ixist  meiins^ 
which  his  all-seeing  wisdom  |>oints  out  to  them  day  by 
dav.  Looking  to  the  same  "  Holy  Leader  and  Com- 
mander to  the  jKM.ple,"  and  InMug  each  olnMlient  in  his 
own  allottinl  phicc  and  c-alling,  acconling  to  the  ability 
given  them — though  they  have  no  organization  that  can 
l)eseenof  men,  He  U'liolds  them  keeping  their  ranks 
in  righteousness,  and  moving  forward  in  the  iwlvam^e- 
ment  of  his  kingdom  of  "  righteousness  and  ixjaci'  and  joy 
in  the  Holv  (ihost."  These  an'  "  lights  in  the  world ''^ 
and  "  the  salt  of  the  vnvth  ;  '*  ajid  as  such  Christians  have 
a  most  im|M)rtant  service  to  fulfil.  If  their  own  lu^arts 
are  filletl  with  "  the  i)eace  of  (tckI  which  passetli  all  un- 
dei-standing," they  (-an  have  not  only  no  enmity  towards 
those  who  are  strangei-s  to  its  blessed  influem^s,  but  will 
eiu-nestly  huig  and  lalM)r  that  they  too  shall  he  brought 
into  the  fold  of  Christ. 

In  our  intercoui-se,  therefore,  with  those  around  us,, 
we  need  especially  to  illustrate  by  our  own  consistent 
example  the  precepts  of  the  gosjKjl,  and  by  tlie  "  l)eauty 
of  lioliiM^s"  (^ommend  the  "  fulness  of  its  blessings"  to 


16 


their  approval.  In  our  hiLsinoss  relations,  our  modes 
of  living,  the  choice  of  our  rei'reations,  and  even  the  ex- 
-ercise  of  our  tastes,  we  shall  be  made  willing  to  practise 
that  personal  restniint  and  sc»lf-sacrifi<r  which  should 
ever  mark  the  disciple  of  Jesits.  While  a  discipline  so 
wholesome  will  tend  on  the  one  hand  to  wean  us  from 
the  spirit  and  vanities  of  the  world,  it  will  the  k^ttcr  tit 
us  for  l)earing  our  allottcnl  i>art  in  cjirrA'ing  on  the  great 
work  of  the  Church.  ( )ur  l^)rd  prayed  lor  his  followers 
^*not  that  they  should  Ik?  taken  out  of  the  world,  but 
that  they  shoidd  U'  kept  froni^  the  evil."  Had  we  a 
more  real  l)elief  in  his  pn>mise,  "  \a\  I  am  with  you 
alway,  even  unto  the  end,"  and  a  fuller  faith  in  the 
<<ivping  jM)Wcr  of  his  grace,  we  should  know  our  spiritual 
strenirth  to  increitse,  and  should  tind  oui*si'lves  the  less 
<jnibarnissed  bv  a  weak  conformity  to  the  ways  of  the 
worldlinjr  in  manv  things  which  now  greatly  hinder  the 
<3ause  of  Clirist.  As  the  numlx'r  of  these  faithful  Chris- 
tians shall  nudtiply,a  fuller  and  more  united  testimony, 
we  doubt  not,  will  be  borne  against  evil  in  every  shajK. 
A  higher  tone  will  he  given  to  public  sentiment;  the 
press,  the  school,  the  business  eomnumity,  the  civil  gov- 
-ernment,  will  all  receive  nobler  and  higher  impulses ; 
and  thus  shall  our  favored  land  be  brought  rightly  to 
fill  that  influential  position  among  the  nations  for  which 
it  is  so  eminently  fitted,  and  for  which  we  may  trust- 
fully believe  it  has  been  hitherto  preserved  by  an 
Almighty  hand. 


r"#^ 


